After almost a week of camping, Moms decided our adventures didn't need to end too soon. So, on our way home we stopped off at the Sea Lion Caves! You'd think that the 1st of August in Oregon would be a perfect day to visit the caves....but this day was foggy, windy and a little cold. Still, it was pretty cool to see what little bit of Sea Lions we could make out through the haze.
They're a little hard to communicate with from this distance
But I can see them well through this viewfinder!
Listen. Moms. I'm happy to sit here and pose for you, but it's cold so if you could get your picture and move on that would be great....
ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
You guys. Camping + Cave Exploring = One Tired Kid.
I had so much fun on this adventure with Moms, and I told her I wanted to go camping again soon.
My preference, though, is for a campsite closer to home, because the commute to Honeyman was too long for this kid.
The following day I joined Gramps and Moms at Oaks Park for the annual Portland Police Association Picnic. It is super fun. We can go on almost all the rides we want, and there are hot dogs, and barbecue, and ice creams, and pop....it's good stuff. We also got to hang with Mr. Paul, Miss Mary and their sons who are a little older than me and, therefore, super cool....
Riding my hog.
Waiting for a ride....
Enjoying a moment in the shade with Gramps
And some QT with Moms on the Wheel. Ferris Wheel that is.
Coffee ....
... and secrets ....
.... with my Pops
In case you're wondering, I am the luckiest kid in the world. Why? you ask...well, it's simple. Because I went to Disneyland for the second year in a row.
Day One: California Adventure from Sun Up to well past Sun Down
Pops & I attacking Moms on Luigi's Flying Tires
Together again on Mater's Tow Trucks
Woody & Jessie, redux
Quick family photo @ Radiator Springs
Greetings from Cars Land, CA
Grizzly River Run: one of my faves
So refreshing on a warm summer day!
Drenched Family Photo
Moms talked be back onto the Tower of Terror this year: still not a fan
I much prefer Radiator Springs Racers
Taking in a race on our way out
BEST
SOFT-SERVE
EVER!!!
After several hours waiting in lines, a kid needs a place to run around. Enter the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. So much fun!
Slides!
Rocks to Climb!
Dug!
Big Tree Tunnel!
Running
from
Pops
Back on the Whitewater
And now, some random pix of me in hats
Fireman Owen
Grizzly Owen
Darth Owen
Still happy late into the day!
A little down time on the Merry-Go-Round
From the Magic Hour 'til World of Color: we did it up on Day One. So much so that halfway through the show I was ready for bed!
Day Two: Disneyland
Toon Town!
Funny Fountain Faces
Moms, showing me how to share.
Moms, sharing again! Hey, wait a minute....
In front of the castle
Greg, Owen, Walt, Mickey
The most Disneylandish Picture Ever
Talked Pops into waiting in line for this ride, while Moms sat in my stroller and watched. Seriously.
I Am Iron Man (In a Captain America Shirt)
Thunder Mt RR. My first time on the tracks! (It was closed last year)
Splash Mountain: 3 times down, 3 big splashes! (and 3 identical pix of Pops)
We wrapped things up a bit earlier on Day Two, because I was still kind of tired after our previous day's adventures.
We walked back to the hotel through Downtown Disney, and I thoroughly enjoyed stopping at this fountain and watching it.
Being enchanted by a fountain isn't a sign of exhaustion, is it?
Day 3: California Adventure, followed by Cabana Time at the Pool
Pops did not join Moms and I on this day in California Adventure
On the Golden Zephyr. There was no line for this ride, so Moms and I got to ride it THREE TIMES in a row! MAGIC HOUR!
"Hat hair?" Never heard of it.
Even waterproof cameras are put to the test in the Rapids
The cool thing about Radiator Springs is the Ambiance: as you will no doubt see since Moms took about 1000 pictures
Racers!
Fire Truck!
Cars Land Postcard!
Cozy Cone Motel
Flo's V8 Cafe
More Coziness
Tractor!
How it feels to be a Bug
Enjoying flowers and wondering how they came up with the name "Grizzly" River...anyone have any ideas?
Moms and I check in with Walt & Mickey
Disney Jr Stage Show!
Those kids know how to Par-Tay
Mike Cake Pop!
Hulk Smash!
Moms and I wrapped up our California Adventures early so we could hang out at the pool with Kyle, Bennett, and their parents again this year. Hard to believe, but we had even more fun this time!
Slides. Love the slides.
Jumping. I also love jumping.
Kyle with his Mom
Moms and Miss Stephanie; photo by yours truly
Miss Stephanie gives Bennett a toss
Mr. Patrick gives me a toss. I should say thanks here to him, since he played a lot with me while Pops was in class and Moms caught up with Miss Stephanie.
Question: how many photos of 3 boys does 1 person have to take to get ONE GOOD PHOTO?
1
2
3
4
5
6
SEVEN*
* results not guaranteed
One way to get a good(ish) picture, is to promise...
...a goofy face picture will follow.
Another way to get a good picture is to bribe kids with balloon swords
Kyle is significantly more mellow than Bennett and I
Seriously, look at how calm he is!
And the night comes to an end.
With a Little...
ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Day 4: Disneyland All Day Long
First stop: SPACE MOUNTAIN
We like to send pix to Pops of us having fun while he's in class
I look a little freaked out in this picture
Hi, Daddy! We are having fun on Big Thunder Mt RR without you!
A little RR scenery
All Aboard!
Fun times in
Fantasyland
Ran into my old pal, Woody!
A quick refreshment break
I couldn't help wondering if he remembered me from last year...
1st trip down Splash Mt...Before...
...During....
...and After! (so refreshing)
Lunch with Moms at the Blue Bayou.
After lunch we rode over to the Pirate's Lair to run around
Taking in some of the sights
Being held prisoner
In the caves
Pirate's Booty
At the top of the lair
A good pirate is prepared to protect his lair at all costs!
ICE CREAM BREAK!
Another trip....
Down one of my Favorite Mts
SPLASH!
2014's Ears: Iron Man
A LONG TIME AGO AT A DISNEYLAND FAR, FAR AWAY... A YOUNG PADAWAN NAMED OWEN-WAN-KENOBI WORE HIS YELLOW STAR WARS SHIRT TO DISNEYLAND WITH ONE QUEST IN MIND.... TO ATTEND THE JEDI TRAINING ACADEMY AND DEFEAT THE DARK SIDE. MEANWHILE, HIS MOTHER TOOK A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF VIDEOS AND PHOTOS TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT......
Jedi Robe: Acquired it is.
The importance of mastering the Light Saber cannot be underestimated.
The Dark Side arrives, looking for Young Padawan to defeat.
Owen-wan-Kenobi is ready.
Graduation
The Galaxy is Secure.....
Did you know if you ask, you can ride in the FRONT of the monorail with the CAPTAIN?!? (That's an insider tip--don't share that with just anyone)
Next stop: Ridemakerz in Downtown Disney
MY POPS IS THE BEST!
I picked the Captain America car
Let's be honest, friends. This day was already OFF THE CHAIN--but it WAS NOT DONE! Can you believe it?
After going to Disneyland all day with Moms, becoming a Jedi, riding in the front of the Monorail, and then getting my own awesome Captain America Custom Car.....I next got to have dinner at Goofy's Kitchen and meet many, many characters.
Goofy was on vacation, so Pluto was in charge
More with Pluto
Didn't want Pops to feel left out...
Dale....Chip must have been with Goofy
Alice (she was a little sweet on me)
Minnie!
The Last and Final Day: Park Hopping
Started the day on the Pier at California Adventure
And then we hit the rapids!
Me and Moms
Then it was off to a show at the Challenge Trail
Learning some wilderness signs
Sighting of the Elusive Kevin!!!!!
Hey! It's RUSSELL!!!!
Taking my Wilderness Explorer oath
A bold declaration at lunch:
Family Hug (as we agree that we will, in fact, move in)
Hopped over to Disneyland--at the entrance with Pops
Dole Whips with Moms
Matterhorn!
B T Mt RR
Pooh!!!!!!
Before
During
After
The last ride:
Buzz Lightyear!!!!
On the way out, we stopped in at the Disneyland Fire Station
And just like that, my second trip to Disneyland was in the books. When can we come back, though? Seriously, Dad....when?
The single most amazing thing about this is that, at this point, we are only about halfway through the month.
You'd think I'd packed in enough, but there was still much to do....namely: 1. A last field trip with my fellow pre-schoolers to OMSI, 2. A trip to SunRiver with my aunt, uncle & cousins, and 3. My last day at Fruit and Flower wherein my Mom embarrassed me with her river of tears..........
So here goes, friends:
Sidewalk siesta with my buds Ronan and QuinnN
Pdx Streetcar. Moms was always in awe of how well 20 5-year-olds could be corralled onto public transportation
My class, about to be attacked by TRex
Snugs with my Boo, Hayden
To my delight, I also got a little kiss
Fortunately, Moms was there to document the occasion
The ride to Sun River is longer than a 5-year-old's bladder is large....lucky for me, Pops was able to talk me through my roadside relief
Mountain Climber
Joined by Eli
To scale
Cousin Anya and I chilling at SHARC
At least one of us can get through a series of photos without making a face....
...and now... several videos of my cousins & other family members along with yours truly going down the tube slide @ SHARC
Donuts on the way out of town
I let Anya have some too
Saying our good-byes until next time
Moms' Aviators? or....
Pops' Shades?
One way to know for sure that you've had a good weekend: falling asleep in the car
Cat update: Bullseye & Scarlett took a shine to one another
While Sugar continued to be needy for human interaction
Hugging my teachers good-bye at my F&F Graduation
Pops was smiling but Moms and her tears stayed safely behind the camera
